A manicure with gel polish stays on the nails for a long time without losing the shine and beauty of the design. But in order to extend the life of Shellac, you should know some secrets of the application technique, one of which is painting the free edge of the nail.
Let's reveal the most common ways to seal the end of a nail with gel polish in order to avoid chipping, delamination and other various troubles.
Advantages of gel polishes
Gel polish is a unique product that combines the durability of a gel coating and the coloring agent of nail polishes. This manicure fits tightly to the nail plate and lasts for at least 2 weeks, and you don’t have to worry about prolonged contact with water or various chemical compounds.
Shellac combines a number of advantages:
- The pleasant sparkling gloss does not wear off or fade.
- When applied correctly, it has a long service life, without chipping or peeling of the nail.
- Affordable manicure for everyone.
- Shellac coating can be applied to any length of the nail surface.
- A manicure with gel polish does not require careful filing of the nail, just removing the gloss is enough.
- The varnish is environmentally friendly to the body and is allowed during pregnancy and lactation.
It is Shellac that helps bring the desired design into reality and can undoubtedly become the highlight of your style.
Pros and cons of the procedure
Despite the fact that many girls are attracted to the advantages of this procedure in the form of healthy, strong, shiny nails, the disadvantages force them to refuse sealing.
Disadvantages are expressed in the form of refusal to cover with varnish, gel and create a design. The disadvantage of the procedure is also that despite the fact that the plate is filled with vitamins, becomes healthier, denser, it has weak protection during the recovery period.
Files that seal the nail can damage an already weakened nail.
However, sealing helps to enhance the growth of the plate, its quality, appearance, and strength. They become well-groomed as in the photo.
The procedure is painless and safe.
Result of nail sealing
Tools for work
The use of gel polish has gained wide popularity and has gone beyond salons; now many people have begun to cover their nails with Shellac at home, since it is quite economical than a session with a professional.
To get a high-quality manicure, you just need to know the basic rules and have the necessary components:
- Manicure accessories (tweezers, pusher, nail files, orange sticks).
- Primer (acid-free).
- Degreaser or regular alcohol.
- Base coat.
- Finish: gel.
- Colored varnishes.
- UV or LED lamp.
- Sponges or cotton wool.
An essential point for the durability of your manicure is the purchase of professional materials, because the durability of the design depends not only on compliance with the execution technique, but also on high-quality products.
Features of the procedure
Wax treatment courses must be carried out several times a year. The course itself consists of 5 procedures performed with an interval of 10-14 days. Doing it more frequently will not harm the plate, and prolonging the break is not recommended.
Sealing has a cumulative effect. The result noticeable after the first session will not last long, but the condition will noticeably improve after completing the course. By sealing several times a year, your nails will become stronger, stop peeling, and grow faster. Home care can be performed more often, up to several times a week. A warm mixture applied to the fingertips and massaged while spreading it promotes relaxation.
Differences between salon and home sealing
The salon nail sealing procedure is quite popular. Based on the condition of the plates, the master will draw up a recommended course. In severe cases with severe injuries to the plate, the master can increase the course or shorten the interval between sessions.
In addition, only a specialist will be able to carefully prepare the plate if the client has extended or gel polished nails. It is important not to injure the weakened plate by improperly removing material.
Beauty salons work with high-quality materials; by going there, you can be sure of using the right products. In addition, the master can recommend another, more suitable method of strengthening.
The sealing procedure is quite simple, so there is no need to use the services of professionals. You may need to attend several sessions in the salon in order to understand how the master works and what areas he pays attention to in a particular case.
Performing sessions at home is a more profitable option. Wax for manicure is a budget home care product, and a jar of the product will cost less than one procedure. The main thing is to properly prepare the plate and maintain it regularly. Then the effect will not differ from the work of the master.
Tools and tools for performing the procedure
The procedure for sealing the nail plate is quite simple; it can be done at home. To carry it out, you can prepare oils and creams yourself, or use ready-made professional mixtures. In addition to the product itself, you will need to purchase the following tools:
- fine grit file,
- cuticle stick,
- buff for polishing, hardness from 1500 grit.
A large selection of waxes and hand creams created with the addition of this ingredient is presented by companies specializing in the production of professional manicure products and manufacturers of organic cosmetics. Many of them have released not just one type of wax, but a whole line. The products are sold in small packages, however, they are quite economical.
The most popular brands:
- LOR DNC presents waxes of different actions, but their composition is similar - paraffin, beeswax, essential oils,
- Spivak produces products with different scents based on shea butter, apricot kernel oil and various waxes,
- PHYTOcosmetics are made on the basis of natural materials, but they contain artificial flavors,
- MedikoMed is based on Vaseline,
- Belweder is a lanolin-based product containing mineral oil. More expensive than competitors, but has a large number of popular reviews,
- In addition to wax and oils, ChocoLatte contains vitamins A and E,
- Crea&mix is based on olive oil, the series is represented by a variety of products,
- GREEN MAMA cream-wax, to which vitamins have been added that have a beneficial effect on the plate,
- Organic Cocktail is a product based on natural ingredients with added vitamins.
All products contain similar ingredients - wax, oils, and sometimes liquid vitamins. They have a similar effect, but you should still choose those in which beeswax is the main ingredient. It is worth noting the low cost of this category of goods, so home care is a profitable option.
Other nail sealers
Natural wax is by far the most popular sealing product, but there are other ways to strengthen your nails. Beauty salons offer a biogel strengthening procedure.
Biogel is a natural product created on the basis of tree resin. Its main difference from wax is the absence of an allergic reaction and the ability to strengthen people with wax intolerance. In addition, biogel can be used to increase the length if the nails are too short. This extension will not damage the nail. An undeniable advantage is the variety of colors. Thus, the manicure will not differ from the usual coating and the woman will not have to suffer from the lack of color design during the treatment.
Another option is mineral sealing. It is produced using ready-made mineral paste. This product is rich in natural oils, contains wax, lanolin and glycerin. The strengthening process is similar to that of wax. The paste is applied to the nail and rubbed into its structure.
The effect is in no way inferior to salon or home strengthening, and it can be carried out at any convenient time. The result is similar to a wax seal. The plates become stronger, shiny, elastic, stop exfoliating and accelerate their growth.
Some salons offer strengthening with gel polish or regular gel. Such coatings are not medicinal and have only decorative functions. However, it is still worth noting that nails coated with gel or gel polish are less likely to break, which means that a woman has the opportunity to grow the desired length.
Features of application for a lasting effect
In order for your manicure to remain stable for a long time, you should know how to properly coat your nails with gel polish.
Let's divide the preparation into several stages:
- Hand treatment.
- First, you need to pay attention to the condition of the skin of your hands, if necessary, carry out nourishing baths or soft peeling to remove dead skin particles.
- Next, we proceed to the treatment of the nail surface: we push back or remove the cuticles, give the same shape to each nail, remove the gloss, getting rid of unevenness and peeling.
Remember that after water treatments it is not recommended to immediately cover your nails with Shellac, since the nail plate is slightly deformed due to contact with hot water. Such procedures must be carried out in advance (30 - 40 minutes before the manicure) so that the gel polish adheres tightly to the nail.
- Let's start degreasing.
We treat each nail with a special liquid in a thin and even layer, not forgetting about the end (this is also quite important). Please note that if the skin of your hands is oily, it is better to carry out the degreasing procedure several times to completely rid the nail plate of unnecessary particles.
- Apply primer.
In this case, it is better to use an acid-free one, since the harmful effects on the nail are minimal, and the effect is indistinguishable from the usual one.
The primer ensures a tight bond between the nail plate and the gel polish, so the free edge also needs to be treated.
Main stage
When answering the question of how to seal the end of a nail with gel, one cannot fail to mention the use of a primer - a special composition that allows you to additionally degrease, disinfect and dry your nails, preparing them for a manicure and extending its wear life.
You can use an acidic or acid-free primer. The first is suitable for wet nails, the second is best used on normal and dry nails. We apply the primer very carefully so that it does not get on the cuticle and side ridges. To seal the end of the nail, apply primer to the edge of the nail.
Next, we perform the manicure in this order:
- First of all, a special manicure base is applied. It is needed to improve the adhesion of the gel to the nail and protect against the penetration of colored substances. But you should not paint it on the edge of the nail. The base is dried under an ultraviolet lamp, after which the sticky layer is removed from the surface.
- After this, the master applies the gel in a thin layer and smoothes it with a dry brush. Dry the nails under a UV lamp for 2 minutes. If an LED device is used, the drying time is reduced to 30-40 seconds. It is important that the gel is suitable for drying in the lamp that you use. After the first layer has dried, there is no need to remove the sticky coating. Similarly, we make a second layer of coating and dry it under a lamp. If you plan to paint or use decor, the sticky layer must be removed. It is important to thoroughly dry each layer, otherwise the gel may peel off as a whole layer. Remember: it is better to overdry it than not to dry it.
- Now the finishing gel is applied. You can use a gel that dries to leave a sticky coating or a gel without a sticky layer. If you want to know how to properly seal your nails with gel polish, then do not forget to apply the finishing gel to the end and back of the regrown part of the nail. The thickness of the finishing layer should be greater than that of the color coating. This is necessary to prevent the gel from spreading over the nail. We dry the final layer well under a lamp, since the glossy shine of the nails depends on this. If the finish is not completely dried, then when the sticky coating is removed, the shine of the nails will disappear.
- When the nails have cooled a little after drying, you can remove the sticky coating using an acetone-free liquid or a regular alcohol solution.
If you want to perform a beautiful gel manicure and seal the ends of your nails, contact the specialists of the Manicurof salon. They will do everything at the highest level and at an affordable price. To make an appointment for a manicure, you need to call us at the number provided.
Performing a manicure
The manicure technique includes the following steps:
- Applying the base.
Cover the nail with a thin and even layer, starting from the end and extending along the entire nail surface. We seal the free edge well so that all subsequent layers of varnish are firmly fixed, and then dry it in a lamp.
- Apply colored gel polish.
Cover the nail with an even layer, making sure to seal each end. To do this, put a little Shellac on the brush and paint it carefully, almost perpendicular to the tip of the nail.
Be extremely careful, as on short nails it is very easy to catch your finger, which will cause the gel polish to peel off as the nail grows.
- We repeat the process until the desired color density is obtained.
- Don’t forget to dry each gel layer in a lamp.
- Let's start applying the top coat.
The layer should be thick, but uniform, with the obligatory sealing of the free edge of the nail. The top coat creates a protective layer and gives it a dazzling gloss.
- Remove the sticky layer.
To do this, we use a special liquid and a lint-free cloth.
- Apply softening cuticle oil and moisturizing hand cream.
By adhering to all the rules for applying gel polish, the manicure will last long enough, thereby protecting the nail plate from mechanical damage.
Sealing
This process is one of the main ones; the durability of the entire manicure depends on fixing the edge, so it’s worth considering it separately. In practice it looks like this:
- use a primer to treat both the visible outer part and the inner part (if the length allows);
- Using a thin brush, apply either the base or the gel itself exclusively to the end, and dry it in a lamp;
- the thickest layer of the finishing coating after the colored gel coating is also distributed separately; it is important to maintain the time specified by the manufacturer.
Reasons that can affect the strength of Shellac
Have you carefully sealed the free edge of your nail, but your manicure quickly loses its neat appearance?
In this case, you should pay attention to the following nuances:
- Taking some medications can negatively affect the attachment of gel polish to the nail, so carefully re-read the instructions, side effects and contraindications.
- Increased levels of acetone in the body.
- Thin and flaky nails.
- Before you start applying gel polish, it is better to “treat” the weakened nail surface.
- Very short nail.
If the length of the nail does not allow you to seal the free edge, you can forget about a durable manicure with gel polish. To make it possible to wear a manicure for a long time, they need to be grown out a little.
If you had extensions done, then the nail plate is definitely weakened and requires special care.
In this case, you should not rush with a manicure; the effect will obviously not please you. To begin with, it is advisable to strengthen your nails with iodine-salt baths and let them “breathe”, and after complete recovery, feel free to begin applying Shellac.
Many people are sure that Shellac strengthens the nail plate, but this is a big misconception. Due to the dense gel polish, the nails seem to become stronger, but after removing the Shellac, the nail plate needs some time to recover.
Useful tips
I have collected the most useful tips from manicurists; with their help, you can paint the end with a better quality.
- Dry the brush and do not press it while painting the ends. This will avoid the formation of an unflattering roller at the top of the nail and the gel polish running off on the inside.
- The brush should be held in a vertical position directly perpendicular to the nails. Sealing movements must be performed from side to side.
- In order not to stain the skin under the nails, a special “liquid tape” is used.
So, I hope that my article will be useful to you. If you have your own opinion on this matter, share your comments with us.
What happens if you ignore the end sealing process?
Covering the free edge of the nail is a really important procedure when applying gel polish, but let's look at what will happen to the design if you miss this point.
- Delamination.
With prolonged contact with water, the nail softens, and if the end is open, then your manicure will accordingly lose its appearance. In addition, unsightly peeling will lead to premature correction.
- Shellac chips.
Many amateurs face this problem. If you do not seal the end, you will soon experience chips and cracks in the gel polish.
- External defects of nails with a bright design.
If your manicure requires dark shades of varnish, then even the naked eye will see the unsealed ends. Such an untidy design can ruin the whole picture.
Don't forget that the strength of the manicure depends entirely on your attentiveness, and if you ignore the importance of sealing the end, you can run into a lot of troubles.
Advantages of "sealing"
Adherents of the theory that the ends of the nails need to be “sealed” rightly believe that the sealed tips of the nails perform a number of very useful functions, they serve for:
- Preventing the appearance of detachments on nails;
- Extending the “wearing” of gel polish;
- Protecting the free edge of the nail from the aggressive effects of chemical cleaning and washing agents.
If the ends are not sealed, the gel polish may begin to peel off on the 3rd – 5th day. True, since 2022, many experts have been of the opinion that sealing the ends is not worth it, primarily due to the fact that:
- A sealed end exposed to physical mechanical stress may increase the likelihood of chipping;
- Violating the procedure for sealing the end and applying too thick a layer of varnish to it will reduce the wear life of the gel polish.
Photo of nail polish coating
Even more photos at the link: Gel polish photo.
What it is
Often, instead of sealing, the term “nail polishing” is used, and some girls mistakenly think that these are different processes. This technology has a very broad positive effect on the structure, strength and health, disinfects, soothes and nourishes the nail tissue. This is due to the presence of a complex of useful minerals and substances in beeswax, including beta-carotene, various natural resins, minerals, keratonides, vitamins of the main groups and propolis. Thanks to such a rich composition, beeswax has a good relaxing and restorative effect on the skin of the fingers.
In short, the sealing procedure means enriching the upper layers of the nail plate with the listed components. What is characteristic is that the wax is fixed to the surface for a long-lasting effect.
Experts and doctors support the benefits of wax sealing and recommend it for the following problems:
- If nails become brittle.
- When nail plates split.
- When the health of nails decreases after removing artificial ones, dullness, loss of shine, and ribbing are observed.
Features of the wax used
LCN paste for sealing nails contains only natural ingredients.
- Natural beeswax. It contains provitamin A, as well as resins and adhesives produced by bees. They fill the smallest cracks in the nails, smooth out the platinum, generally improving the quality of the nail structure, increasing elasticity and strength.
- Carrot seed oil. Being a natural antioxidant, it promotes cell regeneration. Has a moisturizing, nourishing and softening effect. Has natural antiseptic properties.
- Silk proteins. They are responsible for strengthening and protection, creating an invisible film on the surface.
- D-panthenol. Another name is vitamin B5. Prevents delamination, chipping and cracking.
